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Summary Information

Abstract

The Women’s National Book Association Papers document the history and work of the
Women’s National Book Association from their founding in 1917 until today. The
organization is active in promoting women in the book industry through awards and
programs to increase women’s participation in the profession and the role of women in
publishing and other book-related fields.

Collection has no restrictions
This collection is located off-site. You will need to request this material at least
two business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript
Library reading room.
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The collection is arranged into 6 series based on the material’s accession date and with
a separate series for subject files received from the national chapter. Most of the
materials are arranged within the series by chapter or by event, with some separation of
types of materials including correspondence and published materials. Some chapters
separated their materials more specifically into groupings of by-laws, minutes, events
and membership, while other chapters are only grouped by chapter and date. Some of the
early materials are cataloged individually and the Pearl S. Buck letter is on
microfilm.

Description

Scope and Content

The collection consists of correspondence, memoranda, photographs, meeting minutes,
membership materials, publications, financial information, reports and other materials
important to the day-to-day operation of the organization. The bulk of the materials
document the major awards given by the WNBA, the Lucile M. Pannell Award, the Constance
Lindsay Skinner Award (now the WNBA Award), and the Amy Loveman Award. Each chapter has
numerous materials from their founding until today, and the collection includes the
important information about membership, how the chapter was run, events and important
guests and speakers. Some important correspondents from the early documents include
Catherine Drinker Bowen, Howard Fast, Marchette Chute, Mary Ellen Chase, Marguerite
Henry, Abraham Ribicoff, Irita Van Doren, Beatrice Warde, Pearl S. Buck, Edward Weeks,
and Alice B. Toklas.

Using the Collection

Access Restrictions

This collection is located off-site. You will need to request this material at least
two business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript
Library reading room.

Restrictions on Use

Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. Permission to publish material
from the collection must be requested from the Curator of the Bakhmeteff Archive. The
RBML approves permission to publish that which it physically owns; the responsibility to
secure copyright permission rests with the patron.

Subject Headings

The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches at Columbia University through the Archival Collections Portal and through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, as well as ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.

History / Biographical Note

Historical Note

The Women’s National Book Association (WNBA) was formed in
1917 as a group to promote reading and the role of women in the book industry. They
currently have nine chapters across the country as well as a number of corresponding and
supporting members. The WNBA has had a number of important members including Pearl S.
Buck and Alice B. Toklas, and most of the members are active authors or editors.

The chapters of WNBA are based in Boston, Charlotte, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles,
Nashville, New York, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington D.C. New York City was the
first chapter, and remains the center of the national organization. Many of the chapters
were founded by former members who moved to new places and organized local women
involved in the book industry into the group. The organization continues to grow, the
Seattle Chapter was founded in 2008 and Charlotte in 2009.

The WNBA gives several awards every year. The WNBA Award formerly the Constance Lindsay
Skinner Award) is given to a woman who works in the book industry full time, and has
done exceptional work in promoting books beyond the responsibilities of her job. The
WNBA Eastman Grant gives money to library associations to support the training and
professional development of librarians in states where there is a WNBA chapter. The WNBA
Pannell Award is given to booksellers who work to promote interest in books among
children and young adults.

The WNBA is also a Non-Governmental Organization member of the United Nations, and is
active in working with the United Nations to promote literacy across the world. They are
particularly involved in work with UNICEF and were active in the International Book Year
and the International Year of the Child.